Q&A: Mainland Chinese Spouses' Parents and Stepparents Visiting Taiwan - Duration of Stay and Required Documents

Q: How long can the parents and stepparents of mainland Chinese spouses stay in Taiwan for family visits?
A:
I. If the mainland Chinese spouse is in the family reunion stage and is either pregnant (7 months or more), or has given birth or miscarried within the past 2 months:

• Parents' stay period: 3 months.
• Extension: Not permitted, but if the child (the mainland Chinese spouse or Taiwanese citizen) has given birth or miscarried within the past 2 months, an extension of up to 3 months can be applied for once, within 30 days before the initial stay period ends.
• Visit limit: Maximum 2 visits per year.
  
  

II. If the mainland Chinese spouse holds a dependent or long-term residence permit:

• Parents and stepparents' stay period: 2 months.
• Extension: Not permitted.
• Visit limit: Maximum 3 visits per year.
• Exception for parents aged 60 or above: Stay duration may be between 1 to 3 months, with each extension not exceeding 3 months, and the total stay period in Taiwan must not exceed 6 months per year.
  
  

III. If the mainland Chinese spouse has obtained a Taiwanese ID card:

• Parents and stepparents' stay period: 1 to 3 months.
• Extension: Allowed, with each extension not exceeding 3 months, and the total stay period in Taiwan must not exceed 6 months per year.
  
  

IV. For the parents of a Taiwanese citizen's mainland Chinese spouse:

• Stay period: 2 months.
• Extension: Not permitted.
• Visit limit: Maximum 3 visits per year.
  
  

Q: What documents are required for mainland Chinese citizens visiting Taiwan for family visits?
A:
Required Documents:
(A) A completed Mainland Chinese Citizens Entry and Exit Application Form with a recent (within 2 years) color photo meeting the following specifications:

• 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, full-face, hatless, no tinted glasses, facial features clearly visible without modification, on a white background with glossy paper. The face from the top of the head to the chin must be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm in height. Synthetic photos are not accepted.

(B) A photocopy of the applicant's Mainland Chinese Resident ID Card, other identification documents, or documents that sufficiently prove the applicant’s identity.

(C) Proof of family relationship verified by the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), diplomatic missions, or overseas offices. If a caregiver is accompanying the applicant, proof of their relationship to the applicant must also be provided.

• If the family relationship has been previously verified in a previous application, the applicant or their representative may indicate this by writing "previously visited Taiwan" on the new application form and signing next to it. If the SEF finds this record, no additional relationship proof is required. However, if no record is found, or if there are doubts, supplementary documents may be required.
  
  

(D) For the host relative in Taiwan:

• Taiwanese citizens must provide a household registration or Taiwanese ID card.
• Mainland Chinese citizens must provide their Entry and Exit Permit (both original and photocopy, with the original returned after verification).
  
  

(E) A Guarantee Letter signed by the guarantor, along with the guarantor’s original and photocopy of their Taiwanese ID card. If the guarantor is an inviting organization, the official seal of the organization must be stamped, and the National Immigration Agency (NIA) will verify the guarantor's eligibility.

(F) A Letter of Authorization if the application is submitted by a relative or designated travel agency instead of the applicant or their invitee.

(G) Applicants residing abroad, in Hong Kong or Macau, must submit a photocopy of their Re-entry Visa, Residence Permit, or Hong Kong/Macau ID card.

(H) If the applicant's child has been approved for family reunion and the applicant is pregnant (7 months or more) or has given birth or miscarried within the past 2 months, proof of pregnancy, childbirth, or miscarriage must be provided.

(I) Accompanying caregivers must submit a medical diagnosis certificate or other documents proving that the applicant requires special care due to mobility issues or health concerns.

(J) If the applicant is a minor child of a Taiwanese citizen and their relationship documents do not include parental details, additional documents such as a birth certificate must be provided.

• If the applicant is an illegitimate child, the biological father must complete the recognition procedure before applying.
• Children born before their Taiwanese parent's marriage must provide a paternity test affidavit and proof that the biological mother was unmarried during the pregnancy (covering the period between 181 to 302 days before the child's birth). Upon entry into Taiwan, a DNA paternity test report issued by a qualified Taiwanese hospital must be submitted. If this was not completed in a previous application, the NIA may reject future applications.
  
  

(K) For mainland Chinese citizens under the age of 14 who have been approved for dependent or long-term residency:

• For children from a previous marriage: Proof of the previous divorce certificate or death certificate of the former spouse, along with a birth certificate indicating the parents' names.
• For illegitimate children: Proof that the biological mother was unmarried during the pregnancy, a birth certificate indicating the mother's name, and a paternity test affidavit. A qualified DNA paternity test report must be submitted during the extension process.
  
  

(L) For minors staying in Taiwan for long-term family visits while studying in Taiwan, proof of school enrollment in a senior high school, five-year junior college, university, or technical college must be provided.

(M) Other supporting documents may be requested based on individual cases, such as proof of residential address, financial support, or employment status.

(N) A processing fee of NT$600 must be paid. Applicants opting for mail-in submission should include a registered return envelope with the recipient's name and address. Applicants collecting documents in person do not need to provide a return envelope.

Application Submission Points:

(A) Applicants abroad should apply at their nearest Taiwanese embassy, representative office, or authorized diplomatic office. If no such office exists in the applicant’s residing country, the applicant’s relative or inviting unit in Taiwan may submit the application to the National Immigration Agency (NIA).

(B) Applicants in Hong Kong or Macau should apply at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Hong Kong or Macau.

(C) Applicants in Mainland China must have their relatives or inviting unit in Taiwan submit the application at the NIA's local service stations. Mail-in applications are not accepted.

For more details on applications for family visits or extension requests, please refer to the following link:
🔗 National Immigration Agency - Taiwan Family Visit Guidelines